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One early celebration, a defensive touchdown and an immeasurable momentum swing. What could have been for the Utes if Kaelin Clay had crossed that goal line is now a distant memory, the official result a 51-27 Oregon rout that was much closer than the score indicates. Next up, a cagey and rested Stanford team in Palo Alto, hardly a recipe for a bounceback week. But, there are signs of hope for the Utes. The defensive line flustered Heisman frontrunner Marcus Mariota, Travis Wilson found his deep pass touch and Devontae Booker discovered yet another way to contribute as a pass catcher. This will be a low scoring, smash mouth contest for both teams, likely decided by which defense can control the game. Here's a position-by-position look at this week's matchup and which team will have the edge heading into Saturday's game:
Quarterback
Following a devastating season-ending injury for Kendal Thompson, Travis Wilson stepped in and went toe-to-toe with Mariota. Wilson actually passed for more yards than the Heisman hopeful in the game (297 yards to 239) and had a higher per play average (10.6 yards per pass to 8.2), but threw two picks while Mariota took care of the ball. The most promising development of the Oregon game was Wilson taking a few shots downfield, shedding some of the inhibitions he had shown earlier in the season. Stanford's pass defense has been outstanding this season and Tim Patrick was lost for the season, but Wilson showed signs that he is trending upward.
Senior Kevin Hogan came into this season saddled with high expectations, but has been slightly underwhelming. In Pac-12 games, he's been held without a touchdown in three of six contests and has four interceptions to six touchdowns total in conference games. He's done well against low end conference teams in Oregon State and Washington State, but has struggled mightily against USC, Arizona State and Washington, teams closer to Utah in terms of defensive output and pass rush. Finally, against the same Oregon team Wilson succeeded against, Hogan threw for only 237 yards, zero touchdowns and an interception. Wilson gets the nod here.
Edge: Utah
Running back
Devontae Booker looked human against a beefy Oregon defensive front, rushing for only 65 yards on 18 carries, his lowest output since the Michigan game when he was still sharing the majority of carries. However, he was phenomenal in the pass game, racking up 110 yards and a touchdown on eight carries, bailing Wilson out on several passes to the flat and screens. He's in for another tough game this week, facing a Stanford front that is best in the conference, allowing only 3.1 yards per carry and 110 yards on the ground per game. The Utes need him to make an impact one way or the other this week to keep Stanford honest.
Stanford takes more of a platoon approach to running the ball, leaning on three 'backs and even Hogan to carry the rushing game. At the head of the rotation is senior Remound Wright, who leads the team with 80 carries, but has only one game of more than 90 yards rushing. Next up are Barry Sanders Jr. and Kelsey Young, who each have just over 40 carries this season, but have both been held without a touchdown this season. Hogan plays a large role and is currently second on the team in carries and is leading the team with four rushing touchdowns. Still, Booker alone is a bigger threat than all four combined.
Edge: Utah
Wide Receivers
The Utes sustained another big blow to the receiving corps this week when Patrick was declared out for the season. He'd come on in the last few games, grabbing a few passes against Arizona State and three more against Oregon. Already thin after Dres Anderson's injury, the Utes are down to Kenneth Scott and Westlee Tonga as experienced options, with Kenric Young and Jameson Field expected to take on larger roles. Dominique Hatfield may get some time at receiver, but will likely remain at corner primarily. Kaelin Clay had a great game against Oregon outside of the early gaffe and will be the deep threat moving forward. It will be tough for anyone to emerge this week against Stanford's pass defense, the best unit in the Pac-12 that's allowing only 171 yards passing per game.
Ty Montgomery is the best wide receiver in this match up and it isn't close. The senior has at least 70 yards receiving in six of nine games this season and at least 70 yards in three of the four last Pac-12 games. However, he struggled against Oregon and hasn't caught a touchdown pass since September 27th. Senior Devon Cajuste should also have a big impact for the Cardinal. He's second on the team with 409 yards and three touchdowns receiving and was the lone bright spot against Oregon, finishing the game with a season best five receptions for 116 yards.
Edge: Stanford
Offensive Line
The Utes' pass protection had one of its best games of the season against the Ducks, limiting Oregon to only one sack. The better protection helped Wilson keep his eyes downfield to make a big play rather than searching for a checkdown or quick out. As for the run blocking, Booker struggled, but the Utes handled a big Oregon defensive front well. Utah will have to have another big game this week to contain Stanford, a team third in the Pac-12 with 28 sacks and a team holding opposing rushers to the lowest yardage totals in the conference.
Stanford boasts arguably the best tackle in the conference in left tackle Andrus Peat, who will have his hands full with Utah's pass rush. The pass protection as a whole has been exemplary for the Cardinal. Stanford has allowed the lowest amount of sacks in the Pac-12 with 18 and could be the best unit overall the Utes have faced this season. The run blocking isn't great for Stanford, ranking near the bottom of the conference, but the Cardinal should be able to keep Hogan upright far better than previous teams facing the fierce Utes pass rush.
Edge: Even
Defensive Line and Linebackers
This will be the position where this game is won and lost. The Utes had another great game against Mariota, generating four sacks and generally keeping him off balance early in the game. Mariota and the Ducks' rushing attack won out eventually, gashing the Utes for several big plays, but Utah is due for a rebound this week against a Stanford offense that struggles to move the ball. If Nate Orchard or Hunter Dimick can consistently beat Peat and the beefy Stanford front, the Utes will be in good shape to win this one.
Stanford, conversely, was only able to bring Mariota down once, a big factor in the team's 45-16 loss to the Ducks. However, the Cardinal has been succesful all season at getting to the quarterback, racking up 28 sacks while continuously smothering opposing running backs. Stanford allows only 281 yards of offense per game, a ridiculous figure in the Pac-12 where the next closest team allows 385 yards per game. The Utes will have to get going early and often to make sure pass rushers like Blake Martinez, Kevin Anderson and Peter Kalambayi don't control the game.
Edge: Even
Secondary
The Utes did a fantastic job clamping down Oregon in the passing game, relatively speaking. Mariota was successful and spread the ball around, but Dominique Hatfield and company kept the Ducks receivers in check, holding speedster Devon Allen to only two receptions for 69 yards and Byron Marshall to 56 yards on six receptions. This week should be easier due to Hogan's struggles. Cajuste and Montgomery will be a handful because of their size and length, but Hatfield is quietly one of the best in the conference and could be in for a statement game.
There's no one better in the conference at defending the pass than Stanford. The Cardinal lock down opposing receivers and quarterbacks to the tun of only 171 yards through the air per game and have surrendered only eight touchdowns total this season. The next closest, Arizona State, allows 60 yards more per game with 231. Alex Carter is the guy to watch in this game. The junior has 13 disrupted passes this season and an interception.
Edge: Stanford
Prediction: The Utes will have to rally after another disappointing loss and will be playing a tough Stanford team on the road coming off a bye week. However, the spark was there last week that Utah had picked up the offensive tempo and looked to be moving forward. Stanford has struggled against upper tier Pac-12 teams and there's no guarantee Hogan will have success against a fearsome Utah defense. The Utes squeak by in this one and score a 20-13 win.
Twitter: @BrennanJSmith